[A/N: A bit more light hearted than my other one... That's ok. Anyway, what I wanted to say was that I hate writing Voldemort scenes. who agrees with me? Well, have fun in this one! :-D]



Chapter 6 - Devotion in Dijon


"Arachne!" Dumbledore called to her, on his way to a meeting. It was the next morning, and the school's vampire was on her way to her first class.

"Yes, Albus?" Arachne turned to the old Headmaster, a smile forced onto her face. Her thoughts were still bent on Voldemort and Lucius.

"I'm terribly sorry for stopping you, but I have a request."

"Please don't tell me you need a new gamekeeper, Albus." Arachne shifted the case in her arms so she could see Dumbledore clearly.

He chuckled. "No, dear friend. Nothing so dramatic. I wanted to take advantage of you here, for the students. One hardly ever sees a vampire, let alone a Nosferatu such as yourself, but I believe the students would¡K connect with someone out of the school, instead of a teacher here."

"Exactly. I shall see to it. I think it would bring vampires out into light, might it not?"

"Precisely. All the students must know that silly superstitions are not correct. Would tonight be too early?"

"Tonight would be perfect. It's clear outside, and it doesn't coincide with the full moon. I'll have someone in front of the school after dark."

"Excellent. Have a good day, Arachne."

"Thank-you, Headmaster." Arachne smiled again, this time a genuine smile.

"Out of curiosity, who are you bringing?"

"Someone who's always wanted to see Hogwarts."

"Not him, Arachne." Dumbledore tried to look stern, but failed.

"He will behave himself, Albus. I promise. It won't be like last time. Besides, the Bloody Baron would be inside. I won't let another one happen, Albus. Actually, he hasn't apologized to him, has he? Well¡K"

"Go to class, Arachne Targoviste. I shall see you later.

*

"I still think Drakul should teach History of Magic," Ron insisted, after another boring class.

"You think Drakul should teach every class!" Hermione snapped.

"We've told you before, Ron, she's much too old for you." Harry grinned at Hermione, who was trying to hide her own smile.

"I'm not -" Ron tried to protest, but Hermione cut in.

"Ron, remember the Fleur fiasco?" she asked sweetly.

Ron stopped in the middle of the corridor. "That was not¡K you're completely missing the point -"

"Me thinks he doth protest too much," Harry said in a sing-song voice.

"You **what?!** What does that mean? Shut up - just shut up, all right?" Ron's face was crimson by now. "I'm going to lunch." He stomped huffily to the Great Hall. Harry and Hermione followed, laughing uncontrollably.

*

Arachne strode through the streets of Dijon, clutching her cloak about her, ignoring the lights of houses and shops and the chatter of people. It was nearly dark here, and very crowded. She turned the corner, and went through an alleyway. It was much quieter here.

She pulled up her hood, and grinned when she heard noises coming from her right. So it was still there. Unknown to the mortals of Dijon and France, vampires often gathered in France - especially during the full moon - and partied with ease, all night long. This was the place she was looking for. It had been long since she came here. After all, the last time she left was in a state of drunken stupor.

Vampires seldom got drunk, but they did get drunk. If one drank enough blood, it had the same effect as alcohol on mortals. For a Nosferatu, it took considerable amounts of blood to get drunk. From what Thanatos told her, she had drunk enough blood to last a young, thirsty vampire a decade.

Arachne sighed, and pushed to door open, ignoring the warning sign in French, German, English, and Greek. There was a smattering of Latin, but whoever wrote that did not know how to speak the dead language. The smell of blood hit her as soon as the door opened, as the noise did. No one took notice of her. To them, the dark figure at the door was only a brother or sister in need of a drink. Times were great and blood a-plenty. None went hungry in beautiful France.

"Join us in drink, sister!" a young vampire shouted, raising his glass high in the air. He did not realize who he was talking to, nor did he seem to care. He threw his arm around her neck, laughing and talking in French.

"Ici ma belle seour!" he slurred, shouting to the crowd. Everyone turned to them, and shouted their approval, without seeing whom he was talking about.

"Nay!" A bellow from the back silenced the vampires. "I know one more beautiful." The voice now had a body. He was tall and old, and stunningly dressed. His thick brown hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, and was shining in the candlelight.

"You lie!" the young one shouted.

"Have you ever seen the last Dracula?" the vampire breathed, slowly advancing to the front. Arachne smiled broadly from under her hood. Such devotion. But as of now, she was forgotten by the youngling.

"Her skin is as pale as the mother moon, and her smile as brilliant as the sun. Have you ever seen such a beauty, youngling?"

The older vampire turned to the rest of the vampires. "She moves as silently as a shadow does, and graceful as water, and as dangerous as death himself. Have -any- of you seen such beauty?

"Ah, little one, 'tis not only her beauty and grace that surpasses all. Her wit, her power, and her wisdom. My heart was entirely hers when I first saw her, a naive young thing. She taught me of beauty, truth, wisdom, and the world. It has been long since I last saw her, but she is everywhere. She is in my blood, but oh, how I long to see her again." He paused, collecting attention and drama like an actor does when the stage was solely his.

Arachne laughed aloud, startling the young one, who had long since let go of her. "Well said, my friend. For your words and devotion, I shall grant you your wish, Thanatos." She drew back her hood, revealing herself.

A shocked silence swept through the tavern, then a cry could have been heard. Once again, everyone's attention was directed to Thanatos.

"Whatever it was, Arachne, it wasn't me!" he wailed, clutching his hair in distress.


Disclaimer: Hmmmm... I own quite a lot of nothing, it seems. I guess I'd better make this clear then. A lot of ideas or characters or places are not mine. Nor do I want them to be mind [I'm lying, just ignore me]. Some are mine though, so watch out! :-) ;-)